The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1887-12-17

Esmeralda, the title to which was
also disputed, and at trial during
the last session of court, the jury
was unable to arrive at q verdict
standing six to six. So in fact the
Alturas Gold has neither mine moi
mill. The report Of Captain An.
thony is equally misleading, and
his statement that SO more stamps
were required to reduce the i'm.
mense bodies of ore in sight, is
about as near correct as bis state
ment that claim 6OOx15OO feet con-
tains twenty -four acres of ground.
Thirteen cubic feet of ore, in place,
will yield one ton. Now take the
Alturas property with a ledge from
two to four feet in width, and the
result of figuring would show what
the necessary excavation would be
to produce two hundred tons daily
to feed the required 100 stamps.
The property being worked by the
Alturas Company has made an ex-
cellent showing during the past
few months, and it is unnecessary
to make the extravagant statements
INDUCED in by Captain Anthony as
the monthly output shows for itself.
Under its present local manage
ment the work has been carried on
in a systematic and business-like
way, far different from the course
inaugurated by Captain Anthony
during his short administration of
affairs at Rocky Bar.
GOOD SHOWING.
The Ophir mine on Boulder
mountain has made an excellent
showing for the work done this
season. The first shipment of ore
was made in September last, and
eight lots have been shipped, show
ing a total of 1864 tons. The total
value Of this ore was $26,2S2 80,
an average in silver of $166; gold,
500; lead, $42; or a total average
value of about $247 to the ton as
it comes out of the mine. In adj
dition to the total value of these
shipments is to be added that of
the lot of jigging ore sent down
early in the summer, which Melted
the sum of 81, 1886, showing a total
of $3O,66S 20 derived from the
mine. With the exception of the
first lot, amounting to IL tons,
which was sold to the local smelt-
ing works, the ore was sent to Hal
ley and sold there. The charges
on the entire lot for smelling, samp-
ling and freight amounted to 81
142 50, leaving a net value to the
owners of $26,525 II, from which
the hauling, mining and packing
expenses are to he deducted. These
figures show the value of the Ophir
mine, and there is hardly a prop
erty in the district that can produce
so favorable a record, taking into
consideration the capital invested.
This is apparently but a beginning
of work on the Ophir. There is
to-day ore to the value of $4,000
in sight in the mine, and the second
class ore on the dump is estimated
to be worth at least $4,000 as it
lays. During the season an average
of eight men were employed in the
mine. During the winter ore will
be taken out, sorted and piled for
shipment as soon as the road is
passable in the spring. The Ophir
is to-day one of the best properties
in this section, and if future devel-
opments are attended with the
same good results as in the past, il
will go to the head of the list of
the bonanza mines on the river.
BAYHORsE MINES.
The new concentrating works at
Bayhorse are now running smoothly
and unless the water in the supply
ditch freezes during the cold
operations will he contin-
ued throughout the winter months.
The delays attending the starting
Of the new mill were many and
vexatious, but the introduction of
the Wall in place of the Cornish
rolls proved great success and
put to an end the continued break
ing down of the machinery. About
65 tons of ore from the Beardsley
mine are put through each day,
which produces from seven to nine
tons of concentrates. A new body
of ore has been struck in the
Beardsley which will average about
1870 ounces in silver and shows a
good proportion of lead. A good
body Of ore is exposed in the Rams
horn mine, and the present condi-
ton of both of these mines was
never more favorable. The smelter
is also running full blast, turning
out q good supply of high-grade
bullion every "a hours. With the
indications for an open
winter which will allow hauling to
the smelter will probably
run for some months unless COM
pelled to close down for repairs.
No extra men have as yet been put
to work in the mines, and the sup
ply on the ground will meet all
demand for labor this